Domain controller hardening checklist . DNS is often the root cause of many network problems. Apr 19, 2025 · Domain Controller Hardening Domain Controllers are the backbone of the AD network, and therefore, they have to be protected by a multilayered security approach. Feb 27, 2020 · This Windows IIS server hardening checklist will ensure server hardening policies are implemented correctly during installation. Jul 21, 2022 · Hello All, I’m wondering if anyone has an SOW or just a document with best practices that you may follow when in creating a new Domain Controller or securing an existing one for locking down the domain and Domain Controller. Alternativ stellen Sie für virtuelle Domänencontroller sicher, dass sie auf separaten physischen Hosts von anderen virtuellen Maschinen betrieben werden. Administrative access to all Microsoft Domain Name System (DNS) servers that the domain controllers participate with. By default 10 accounts will be cached locally, but there is a risk that in the event of a compromise an attacker could locate the cached credentials and use a brute force Apr 28, 2023 · Domain controller hardening is the process of strengthening the servers that run Active Directory to reduce the risk of unauthorized access, data breaches and service disruption. For example, the Center for Internet Security (CIS) provides hardening checklists ; Microsoft offers checklists for Windows devices; Cisco provides checklists for its routers; and the National Vulnerability Database hosted by NIST provides checklists for a wide range of Jan 16, 2025 · Hi all! Jerry here again to continue the AD hardening series. 1 Digitally sign communications (always) – Enabled . Nov 4, 2016 · Active Directory security effectively begins with ensuring Domain Controllers (DCs) are configured securely. Also Read: Domain Controller Security Best Practices – Hardening (Checklist) Download our step-by-step checklist to secure your platform: An objective, consensus-driven security guideline for Microsoft Windows Server. Monitoring and Assessment. Logon information for domain accounts can be cached locally to allow users who have previously authenticated to do so again even if a domain controller cannot be contacted. In the Policy Viewer you will be able to see the results and compare the two columns with the settings on the left and the settings suggested by Microsoft (which you Jan 11, 2022 · Hypervisor admins have the ability to shut down, delete, alter or interfere with those domain controllers, meaning organizations need to pay attention to who has admin rights. net The approach presented focuses on both efficiency and effectiveness, without breaking application functionality. Secure your domain controllers. Enable Read-Only Domain Controllers (RODCs) where full DCs aren’t needed. Go to the Group Policy Management tool on your Domain Controller (via Server Manager), and attach/link the GPO to any of the OUs in your environment. 19: Domain controller: LDAP server signing requirements The initial deployment phase starts with the updates released on April 9, 2024. With NTLMv1 the encryption is based on DES (bad, bad, bad). 6 Number of previous logons to cache (in case domain controller is not available) – 4 logon or fewer . This post focuses on Domain Controller security with some cross-over into Active Directory security. • Place the server in a physically secure location. It should be a top priority to minimize the number of people who physically enter DCs, and organizations must make it apparent that the servers in question are within those specific data centers. We’ll cover common AD hacking techniques such as RDP brute-force, LLMNR (Link-Local Multicast Name Resolution) using responder, mimikatz, and Kerberoasting. Enable NTP Oct 24, 2023 · DHCP and DNS – Confirm that if the previous domain controller handles DHCP and DNS, we seamlessly transfer these services to the new domain controller. Limiting the services and features running on domain controllers can reduce the attack surface of your AD environment. Oct 11, 2023 · Keep your domain controllers physically secure within their datacenters, branch offices, and remote locations. Target Operational Environment: Managed Apr 18, 2025 · 4. Malicious Domain Blocking and Reporting Plus Prevent connection to harmful web domains. Troubleshooting checklist. e. At BlackHat USA this past Summer, I spoke about AD for the security professional and provided tips on how to best secure Active Directory. Sep 21, 2023 · In a domain environment the response is forwarded to a domain controller which verifies the challenge response. DNS is the heart of Active Directory (AD) and makes things work correctly, including domain join. 5 Ensure 'Add workstations to domain' is set to 'Administrators' (DC only) Mar 28, 2023 · Also Read Domain Controller Security Best Practices – Hardening (Checklist) DCDiag: How to Check Domain Controller Health using Powershell Conclusion In conclusion, DCDiag is an essential tool for administrators who manage Active Directory environments. The presenter has implemented hardening on several hundred servers across multiple companies. An Active Directory Domain partitions the Active Directory forest to allow smaller AD databases which replicate domain data separately from other domains. Items in this profile. Target Audience: Not Provided. The first step of the planning of disaster recovery requires ensuring that in case of failure of servers in the first location, the services and user computers seamlessly reconnect to the second site. Hence, domain controllers must be synchronized to a time server to avoid any problems. Oct 8, 2018 · The Windows Server Hardening Checklist | UpGuard. Oct 3, 2023 · Basic Windows Server 2022 Hardening. Link the Windows IIS Server hardening checklist By Michael Cobb General • Do not connect an IIS Server to the Internet until it is fully hardened. Oct 17, 2023 · Also Read Domain Controller Security Best Practices – Hardening (Checklist) The logical framework encompasses elements such as forests and domains, while the physical system embodies components like Domain Controllers (DCs), servers, and physical subnets. General a. Darüber hinaus, wenn Sie eine Virtualisierungsplattform eines Drittanbieters einsetzen, erwägen Sie die Bereitstellung virtueller Domänencontroller auf Hyper-V in Windows Server. Harden domain controllers. 1 Automatic configuration 2. They can have access to the entire domain, all systems, all data, computers, laptops, and so on. Limit AD admin membership (DA, EA, Schema Admins, etc. Ensure all built-in groups but Administrator are denied from logging on to Domain Controllers user User Right Assignments. 1) Nov 14, 2023 · Let’s imaging the following scenario: a company has two physical locations, each of them has domain controllers. 2. Note: For organizations that have implemented the Active Directory administrative tier model, or are striving to embrace, their Privileged Access Workstations (PAWs) pose a […] To add a domain: Log in to the ADAudit Plus web console Domain Settings Add Domain Enter the necessary details. This profile extends the “Level 1 – Domain Controller” profile. A member server gets its time synched with a domain controller automatically after joining the domain. Gratis mendaftar dan menawar pekerjaan. Do not connect a Server to the Internet until it is fully hardened. A forest is a collection of AD trees. Disable all inactive admin accounts and remove from privileged groups. 2. Secure Domain Controllers. corp-sec. Feb 26, 2022 · Disable Spool Services on domain controllers! ADCS; Not AD but also review: Post Compromise Active Directory Checklist. Jan 21, 2025 · The following Active Directory hardening checklist helps organizations minimize their attack surface and effectively deal with cyber threats. Jun 15, 2023 · 2. Configure your domain controllers with built-in and freely available configuration tools to make security configuration baselines you can enforce with group policy objects Protect all volumes in domain controller servers by using BitLocker Drive Encryption. Jul 7, 2014 · Domain Controller Hardening Checklist. To mitigate some of these risks, we can harden the Remote Desktop connections to Domain Controllers. X 3. Use two network interfaces in the server — one for admin and Jul 10, 2024 · Using security baselines in your organization. Mar 17, 2024 · Automatic time synchronization — For servers within domains, this means automatically synchronizing with the domain controller. Apr 12, 2025 · Add admin accounts to “Protected Users” group (requires Windows Server 2012 R2 Domain Controllers, 2012R2 DFL for domain protection). Swap the underlying server for Core and you don't notice much difference. Domain and Forest Design: Designing with security best practices, defining boundaries, and ensuring secure replication. You switched accounts on another tab or window. com Built-in Accounts Verify Administrator account should have Smart card is required for interactive logon [Enabled] Docs. Jul 26, 2023 · The room aims to teach basic concepts for hardening AD in line with best cyber security practices. Compiled from thousands of real world risk assessments that Varonis has conducted, our Active Directory Security Audit Checklist will help you pinpoint where you might be vulnerable and what you need to do right now to harden your AD infrastructure. Server Hardening Checklist (Bonus) Dec 20, 2024 · The Domain Controller, being the brain of the Active Directory domain, needs special protection. The Windows Server 2012 / 2012 R2 Domain Controller Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) is published as a tool to improve the security of Department of Defense (DoD) information systems. I typically have two approaches Create baseline templates All devices (applies to every device) pinned at the top level OUs with devices Busca trabajos relacionados con Domain controller hardening checklist o contrata en el mercado de freelancing más grande del mundo con más de 24m de trabajos. active-directory-gpo, question. This is where SID filtering comes in. Implement solid access controls, patch/upgrade frequently, and in the last quarter alone, 266% more infostealer malware variants have been recorded targeting login credentials ! Cari pekerjaan yang berkaitan dengan Domain controller hardening checklist atau merekrut di pasar freelancing terbesar di dunia dengan 23j+ pekerjaan. The package’s primary goal is to import new security baselines. Checklist Role: Active Directory Server; Known Issues: Not Provided. Set Jan 28, 2019 · This document is meant for use in conjunction with other applicable STIGs including such topics as Active Directory Domain, Active Directory Forest, and Domain Name Service (DNS). Kaydolmak ve işlere teklif vermek ücretsizdir. Ongoing synchronization — Domain controllers should continuously synchronize time with a time server. Install only the IIS modules you need. Jul 12, 2024 · 2. 9. 2 Ensure 'Access this computer from the network' is set to 'Administrators, Authenticated Users, ENTERPRISE DOMAIN CONTROLLERS' (DC only) 2. You signed out in another tab or window. It is recommended to have no day to day user accounts in the Domain Jan 24, 2022 · WSMember – Windows Server, domain-joined member server; WSNonDomainJoined – Windows Server, non-domain-joined; WSDomainController – Windows Server, domain controller; WSMember eignet sich daher für die meisten Server. This update adds new behavior that prevents the elevation of privilege vulnerabilities described in CVE-2024-26248 and CVE-2024-29056 but does not enforce it unless both Windows domain controllers and Windows clients in the environment are updated. P Do not install a printer. These host’s administrators can control the virtual domain controllers, so keep those admin accounts separate from other virtualization Jan 2, 2025 · Domain logons are processed by domain controllers, and as such, they have the audit logs for that activity, not the local system. This is work in progress: please contribute by sending your suggestions. Access Control. Checklist: Chapter 4 Hardening Domain Controllers:Checklist: Chapter 4 Hardening Domain Controllers:Use the following checklists to ensure that you have properly implemented all security settings and procedures prescribed in Chapter 4. Add all admin accounts to Protected Users group (requires Windows 2012 R2 DCs). But there are many things one can do to prevent such attacks, secure domain resources, and protect Active Directory. P Do not install the IIS server on a domain controller. Make sure to move any computers you want to harden to the OU with the GPO attached. Sep 7, 2023 · Level 2 – Domain Controller. The blog is called Apr 19, 2023 · Also Read Domain Controller Security Best Practices – Hardening (Checklist) Software Restriction Policies The greatest threats to Active Directory domain is the distribution of malware or viruses. CIS Hardened Images on Microsoft Azure are Azure certified and preconfigured to the security recommendations of the CIS Benchmarks. Additionally, administrators can use AD to manage user permissions, deploy software updates, and troubleshoot network issues, making it a vital tool for keeping your organization DoD Windows Server 2019 Domain Controller STIG (Machine) 20H2: v2r1: DoD Windows Server 2019 Domain Controller STIG (User) 20H2: v2r1: DoD Windows Server 2019 Member Server STIG (Machine) 20H2: v2r1: DoD Windows Server 2019 Member Server STIG (User) 20H2: v2r1: DoD Windows Defender Antivirus STIG: 20H2: v2r1: DoD Windows Firewall STIG: 20H2: v1r7 May 27, 2024 · When you create a domain within Active Directory, the local Administrator account automatically gets into the Administrator domain account. For the Enterprise Member Server and SSLF Member Server profile(s), the recommended value is Not Defined. Using, as the example, the most recent CIS Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Benchmark v1. If the Domain Controller becomes the target of an attack, it is fatal to the entire organization. Implement Windows Defender Credential Guard. • Do not install the IIS server on a domain controller. AD Administrative Tier Model Refresher You will be importing the GPOs contained within the Build Kit into group policy management console (GPMC) on your domain controller. Restrict software installation on DCs. i am deploying new DCs for our environment,im preparing images for this case. When selecting operating systems, it is important that an organisation preferences vendors that have demonstrated a commitment to Secure by Design and Secure by Default principles and practices, including secure programming practices and either memory-safe programming languages (such as C#, Go, Java, Ruby, Rust and Swift) or less o A domain account (can be a user or a Managed Service Account) with the following rights: Enterprise Administrator. 8 Smart card removal behavior – Lock Workstation . Nov 9, 2023 · The Default Domain Policy and the Default Domain Controllers Policy are spesial GPOs with special GUIDs. Apr 27, 2024 · Apply hardening security baseline (See tip#25) Domain controllers should have limited software and roles installed on them. Secure RDP With Strong Encryption. Aug 3, 2023 · Addresses the Windows default audit policy settings, baseline recommended audit policy settings, and the more aggressive recommendations from Microsoft, for workstation and server products. The central store is in the SYSVOL folder. It gains default membership in the Domain Admins and Administrators groups of that domain. Windows IIS Server hardening checklist By Michael Cobb General • Do not connect an IIS Server to the Internet until it is fully hardened. Thank you in advance. Domain Controllers (DCs) are important in Active Directory and have to be supported with a larger protective barrier. Nov 5, 2024 · This document is meant for use in conjunction with other applicable STIGs including such topics as, Active Directory Forest, Windows Domain Controllers, and Domain Name Service (DNS). Nov 3, 2021 · Getting a hardening checklist or server hardening policy is easy enough. Cisco Wireless LAN Controller 7 (1. Sep 19, 2024 · Here’s a checklist that you can follow and tick off the boxes to strengthen your Active Directory. Apr 19, 2024 · The Windows CIS Benchmarks are written for Active Directory domain-joined systems using Group Policy, not standalone/workgroup systems. There are several steps you can take to at least increase the security of your domain controllers. To limit exposure, domain controller security should be a top priority. It's free to sign up and bid on jobs. It includes deactivating superfluous services, deploying security patches and updates, establishing firewall rules, and enforcing strong password practices. Split into 4 parts: Domain Actions; User Account Actions; Computer Account Actions SYSTEM HARDENING CHECKLIST 2 1-877-4-CIMCOR | CIMCOR. Administered sessions need to start exclusively from trusted secure networks. 0) Cisco IOS 15 (4. Because of this, domain controllers should be secured separately and more stringently than the general Windows infrastructure. Alternatively, in a domain environment, use the Active Directory GPO (Group Policy Object) Management features on your domain controller to create centralized configuration policies to deploy to all member computers. • Use two network interfaces in the server — one for admin and Mar 2, 2023 · AD DS is based on a number of well-known protocols and standards including LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol), Kerberos, and DNS (Domain Name System). Apr 26, 2024 · Domain Controller Health Check. By default, Backup operators, Account operators can login to Domain Controllers, which is dangerous. A domain controller syncs their times, after joining the domain. The vulnerability allowed attackers to gain access into domain controllers. And whatever you do, don’t mess with the default domain policy or default domain controllers policy. These controllers keep the directory information up-to-date and ensure everyone is on the same page. The domain controller security policy should be defined in a separate GPO, which should be linked to an OU of domain controller. Nov 1, 2024 · When possible, domain controllers should be configured with Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chips and all volumes in the domain controller servers should be protected via BitLocker Drive Encryption. P Use two network interfaces in the server: one for admin and one for the network. But there are a few servers that stand alone and require NTP to sync with an external source for accurate timing. By default 10 accounts will be cached locally, but there is a risk that in the event of a compromise an attacker could locate the cached credentials and use a brute force May 12, 2025 · Securing Domain Controllers Against Attack discusses policies and settings that, although similar to the recommendations for the implementation of secure administrative hosts, contain some domain controller-specific recommendations to help ensure that the domain controllers and the systems used to manage them are well-secured. Maybe something that was built off NIST and personal changes. Microsoft is dedicated to providing its customers with secure operating systems, such as Windows and Windows Server, and secure apps, such as Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise and Microsoft Edge. S. They're available on both Azure and Azure Government. Reload to refresh your session. DNS . This allows an attacker to mimic a Domain Controller and, in turn, retrieve user NTLM password hashes by requesting a Domain Controller to replicate passwords via the DS-Replication-Get-Changes-All extended right. Active Directory Security Checklist ☐ #1 Limit the use of Domain Admins and other Privileged Groups Members of Domain Admins and other privileged groups are very powerful. You signed in with another tab or window. You should not be logging onto a Domain Controller day-to-day to manage anything. Mar 18, 2025 · Operating system hardening Operating system selection. • Do not install a printer. May 30, 2024 · ドメイン コントローラーは、企業がサーバー、ワークステーション、ユーザー、およびアプリケーションを効率的に管理できるようにするサービスやデータを提供するのに加えて、Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) データベースの物理記憶域を提供します。 Mar 21, 2025 · CIS Microsoft Azure Foundations Benchmark provides a step-by-step checklist for securing Azure. Second, any new exploit that compromises your web server could also compromise your entire network when the web server and the domain controller are on the same computer. These include: Apply security updates and patches to Logon information for domain accounts can be cached locally to allow users who have previously authenticated to do so again even if a domain controller cannot be contacted. The 3. Ideally, in the case of domain servers, the time should be synced to a time server. 6. Key strategies include least privileged access review, regular permission allocation check, secure authentication, and configuration management of your domain controllers. ; DNS on clients – Verify that the DNS records on clients (as well as other servers) direct to the new domain controller to ensure successful logins; otherwise, bad perpetrators may compromise your network. com Built-in Groups Verify Enterpise Apr 21, 2025 · Domain controllers are the crown jewels of any Active Directory (AD) deployment. Default domain controller settings have them change their passwords automatically every 30 Busca trabajos relacionados con Domain controller hardening checklist o contrata en el mercado de freelancing más grande del mundo con más de 24m de trabajos. This allows their clocks to stay accurate. 1 If an attacker is able to compromise a domain controller, they may be able to steal the password hash of the KRBTGT account. Domain Controller (DC) Security: Implementing physical security controls, patch management, and access restrictions. All domain controllers must renew their secrets every 30 days. At a high level, a domain trust establishes the ability for users in one domain to authenticate to resources or act as a security principal in another domain, a trust does is link up the authentication systems of two Remove local admin rights from low privileged users in the domains and allows authentication tra ic to flow between them through May 4, 2023 · To compare with the configurations on your Domain Controller click on the Compare to Effective State button, which compares the selected baseline with the current system state. If 1 site/branch goes down you can run off the other DCs; Setup hybrid AD, with DC’s on prem and Active Directory in the cloud. From a Domain perspective, all properties of all objects within the Domain are replicated to all Domain Controllers within that Domain only. At a high level, a domain trust establishes the ability for users in one domain to authenticate to resources or act as a security principal in another domain, a trust does is link up the authentication systems of two Remove local admin rights from low privileged users in the domains and allows authentication tra ic to flow between them through (accounts with elevated privileges, such as members of Domain Admins) from theft by using Just Enough Administration (JEA), Just in Time Administration (JIT), Credential Guard, Remote Credential Guard, and Advanced Threat Analytics. Become familiar with your domain controller operating system. While there is no dictate that states organizations should upgrade to Windows Server 2022 before support ends for older Windows Server versions, it's a good idea to consider a Windows Server 2022 migration, particularly for critical infrastructure such as domain controllers. This time I want to address the concept of least privilege as it applies to Active Directory. X . CalCom helps organizations move beyond basic hardening scripts, offering a fully automated, intelligent solution with CalCom’s Hardening Suite (CHS). May 14, 2025 · This guide provides the fundamental concepts used when troubleshooting Active Directory domain join issues. Learn how to secure accounts, registries, virtual directories, script mappings and more. 0 - Build Kit to apply a Level 1 Domain Controller hardening. And, 2022 upgrade brings the advantage of enhanced security capabilities. Configuring audit policies Post installation, ADAudit Plus automatically discovers the local domain and the domain controllers running in it. The Windows Server 2022 STIG includes requirements for both domain controllers and member servers/standalone systems. Jan 27, 2021 · The servers that are members of domains have their times synced automatically. External time source — Standalone servers should synchronize with a reliable external time source. CHS doesn’t just apply a baseline, it learns your needs, identifies misconfigurations, tests changes, and continuously monitors, all without any disruptions. Here is a good reference for PCI DSS recommended hardening guide: Center for Internet Security; NIST National Checklist Program Repository * Halock Security Labs has experts on hand that can help your organization develop a strategy to deploy a ‘Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Domain Controller‘ in a secure, compliant, and cost-effective manner. Apr 29, 2025 · Data transfers between domain controllers and clients should use IPsec or TLS Encryption as encryption protocols for secure data exchange. COM Hardening a System or System & Device Hardening The process of hardening a system is typically analogous with either CIS Benchmarks or DISA STIGs to establish a root of trust through configuration recommendations. In 2020 Microsoft released a patch that would fix Zerologon vulnerability that affected domain controllers. Not Defined. Disable unnecessary services, restrict access to critical services, and ensure that only authorized personnel have administrative privileges. Two trees in the same forest cannot share a name (namespace). As we all know, an out-of-the-box server is not configured with the necessary Aug 30, 2016 · Placing an IIS web server and domain controller on the same computer seriously limits your security account options. and one about preparing to be attacked: Apr 9, 2025 · This document is meant for use in conjunction with other applicable STIGs including such topics as Active Directory Domain, Active Directory Forest, and Domain Name Service (DNS). 2 Ensure 'Access this computer from the network' is set to 'Administrators, Authenticated Users, ENTERPRISE DOMAIN CONTROLLERS' (DC only) - Administrators, Authenticated Users, ENTERPRISE DOMAIN CONTROLLERS: 2. A compromised KRBTGT account gives an attacker unrestricted access in the domain. AD DS is usually the central node in a network and therefore, AD DS makes it easy for changes made to one domain controller to be replicated to the rest of the domain controllers. When using NTLMv2 the encryption has more inputs and uses HMAC-MD5 (not great by today's standards but significantly better than DES). Additional protections include the usage of Privileged Access Workstations, which is not covered in this document. exhibit one or more of the following characteristics: are intended for environments or use cases where security is paramount; acts as defense in depth measure; may negatively inhibit the utility or performance of the All checklists and scripts referenced in this presentation are available at: www. Hence, securing Tier 0 is the first critical step towards your Active Directory hardening journey and this article was written to help with it. Do not install the IIS server on a domain controller. Rigorously enforce the least privilege principle to limit user rights. 1. Adjustments/tailoring to some recommendations will be needed to maintain functionality if attempting to implement CIS hardening on standalone systems or a system running in the cloud. • Use two network interfaces in the server — one for admin and Jun 13, 2023 · The Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit is not a new tool, but Microsoft has made some changes to the baselines for Windows Server 2022. May 10, 2024 · Secure the domain controllers, they are the pulse of Active Directory. Jul 25, 2024 · 9. Domain controller: Allow server operators to schedule tasks: For the Enterprise Domain Controller and SSLF Domain Controller profile(s), the recommended value is Disabled. 3. In Windows domain environments, create a GPO and group policies as shown in the remediation information. If you have domain controllers you should run an Active Directory health check on them once a month. Doman Controllers Members Servers Users Computers. 1. User Account Security Hardening Disable and rename the guest account on each server. You may do this by creating issue tickets or forking, editing and sending pull requests. Preparing the Active Directory Domain Controllers OU:StepNotes:Create the Domain Controller Baseline Policy (DCBP). May 23, 2024 · Behind the scenes, AD runs on servers called domain controllers. A Domain Controller is an Active Directory server that acts as the brain for a Windows server Built-in Accounts Verify Administrator account should have Account is sensitive and cannot be delegated [Enabled] Docs. 5. Minimize access to privileged functions. The default settings of domain controllers are not hardened, which means there are several privilege escalation paths to domain admin. Leave that default. Servers within domains automatically sync time with the domain controller; Standalone servers sync with an external time source; Domain controllers sync with a time server on an ongoing basis; Centralized Event Logs. Similarly, restrict access to hypervisors that contain domain controllers. If the domain serves as the forest root domain, this account also gains membership in the Enterprise Admins group. Feb 2, 2023 · Domain Controller Security Best Practices – Hardening (Checklist). Each domain in a tree shares a boundary with the other domains. If some domain controllers have not changed their password for more than 45 days, indicating their secrets are not renewed. ) & only use custom delegation groups. The requirements were developed from DoD consensus as well as Windows security guidance by Microsoft Corporation. Do not install a printer. Active Directory relies on network communication for authentication and replication. P Place the server in a physically secure location. Change Windows Firewall GPO settings to allow Domain Controllers remote administration of member servers Jan 11, 2022 · Hypervisor admins have the ability to shut down, delete, alter or interfere with those domain controllers, meaning organizations need to pay attention to who has admin rights. Jan 28, 2025 · Service Hardening. Get this checklist for Windows Server security hardening practices to reduce the risk of attackers compromising your critical systems and data. 4 Ensure 'Act as part of the operating system' is set to 'No One' 2. hardening routines. Microsoft. Domain Name System (DNS): Anytime you have an issue joining a domain, one of the first things to check is DNS. Apr 19, 2024 · The Windows CIS Microsoft Windows Benchmarks are written for Active Directory domain-joined systems using Group Policy, not standalone/workgroup systems. From active directory management to being a domain controller, the capabilities of windows server 2022 are vast. Run virtual domain controllers on separate physical hosts from other virtual machines. Patching although not considered configuration hardening, it is as important to verify and enforce the latest security patches for the OS, domain controller, firewall, antivirus, and applications. Under Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options, double-click Domain controller: Allow computer account re-use during domain join. Nothing at the top of the domain except default domain policy. Admin workstations & servers: Oct 6, 2022 · This document is meant for use in conjunction with other applicable STIGs including such topics as Active Directory Domain, Active Directory Forest, and Domain Name Service (DNS). The goal is to educate organizations on cybercriminal techniques that put them at risk and recommend actions to help reduce those risks. d. Windows Server systems generate multiple logs, which can be configured to be more or less verbose. Active Directory Security Checklist. to manage them. Mar 24, 2025 · This document is meant for use in conjunction with other applicable STIGs including such topics as Active Directory Domain, Active Directory Forest, and Domain Name Service (DNS). Run frequent backups of your domain controllers; Implement Azure Site Recovery. Es gratis registrarse y presentar tus propuestas laborales. Harden virtual domain controllers. Some other attack methods rely on NetBIOS, Link-Local Multicast Name Resolution (LLMNR), Group Policy Object (GPO) Preferences cPasswords, and password spraying. A threat actor with elevated rights could take advantage of sIDHistory to copy a SID from a trusting domain (for example the SID of a Domain Admins group member) and add it to the sIDHistory attribute of a security principal in the trusted domain—thus granting the attacker admin rights in the trusting domain. 6. In this blog, Victor King reviews how to harden your organization against these attacks through ITDR. Feb 26, 2025 · Access to AD backups must be tightly controlled and treated in the same manner as access to domain controllers. Not Defined Administrators, Authenticated Users, ENTERPRISE DOMAIN CONTROLLERS Chapter 4 - Hardening Domain Controllers Security A collection of awesome security hardening guides, best practices, checklists, benchmarks, tools and other resources. Stand alone servers will have security audits available and can be configured to show passes and/or failures. The Windows Server 2019 STIG includes requirements for both domain controllers and member servers/standalone systems. See More: Windows 11: Microsoft Office Gets a Fluent-Design Makeover. This account can then be used to generate arbitrary (but valid) Kerberos tickets. b. 6 Microsoft Network Client . Place the server in a physically secure location. Sep 30, 2019 · The Windows CIS Benchmarks are written for Active Directory domain-joined systems using Group Policy, not standalone/workgroup systems. Tipp: Bei VMs kann es nach dem Anwenden der Security Baseline zu dem folgenden Fehler bei der Anwendung der lokalen GPO [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]. A parent-child trust relationship is formed when a domain is added under another domain in a tree. Attack Path Management: Conducting automated attack path validation and implementing network segmentation. Windows. P May 13, 2024 · Ensure Domain Controllers Have renewed their secrets within 45 days. But standalone servers need NTP for syncing to an external source. Aug 9, 2021 · This document is meant for use in conjunction with other applicable STIGs including such topics as Active Directory Domain, Active Directory Forest, and Domain Name Service (DNS). and object type. In the domain controller security policy the following should be disabled: You can learn about the best practices of securing active directory in Microsoft’s TechNet page; Never store LAN manager Hash values. Disable and rename the local Administrator account on any machine that is part of a domain where uniquely named domain admin accounts will be used. May 4, 2023 · Hardening Domain Controller Windows Server 2012 , 2019 ,2022 Import all GPOs pertaining to the O. The Windows Server 2016 STIG includes requirements for both domain controllers and member servers/standalone systems. It is common for member servers to be automatically synced with a domain controller after joining a domain, but there are some that stand alone and require NTP to sync with an external source for accurate timing. X Aug 7, 2020 · Workstations that are allowed to communicate to Domain Controllers pose a risk of lateral movement. to harden our DCs, can somebody provide me with a Sep 27, 2023 · Domain controller server hardening reduces the attack surface available to compromise active directory security. Windows IIS Server hardening checklist 1. Search for jobs related to Domain controller hardening checklist or hire on the world's largest freelancing marketplace with 22m+ jobs. They authenticate every user, enforce every Group Policy Object, and replicate the credentials that keep the business running, making them irresistible to attackers. The windows server 2022 upgrade brings a new era of innovations and improvements in server management. BitLocker adds a small performance overhead, but protects the directory against compromise even if disks are removed from the server. Active Directory is a critical service and you want to ensure the domain controllers are healthy. Apr 28, 2025 · Server Hardening with CalCom. Securing your Active Directory is not a one-time thing, it’s an ongoing process. This access control right allows for the replication of secret data within an AD environment. Mar 25, 2025 · Limit access to Domain Controllers (physical and network). 7 Prompt user to change password before expiration – 14 days* X . That means that physical security controls should prevent anyone from accessing the physical server hardware, and OS hardening removes unnecessary functionality and services that could Domain controller hardening checklist ile ilişkili işleri arayın ya da 23 milyondan fazla iş içeriğiyle dünyanın en büyük serbest çalışma pazarında işe alım yapın. Aug 30, 2016 · Compromising a domain controller can provide the most expedient path to wide scale propagation of access, or the most direct path to destruction of member servers, workstations, and Active Directory. Replicate domain controllers between sites. The presence of branch offices and browsing of internet websites creates multiple potential entry points for attackers to gain access to a domain. Apr 26, 2022 · The release of Windows Server 2022 ushered in several important security enhancements. c. Domain controllers are a prime target for attackers since it holds the sensitive account information used in the majority of enterprise organizations today. Of the three principles of Zero Trust (verify explicitly, least privilege, assume breach), least privilege is the most achievable using native Active Directory features. They should not be unlinked, disabled or deleted. 3. Domain Controller Default Legacy Client Enterprise Client High Security Administrators, Authenticated Users, ENTERPRISE DOMAIN CONTROLLERS, Everyone, Pre-Windows 2000 Compatible Access. Implementation Steps. Administrative access to every domain controller in the forest. Best Practice on a Domain Controller for Security. Protect AD Admin Credentials. The Feb 19, 2024 · Most attackers follow playbooks and whatever their final goal may be, Active Directory Domain domination (Tier 0 compromise) is a stopover in almost every attack. You should be running PAWs or Management Servers at the least and using remote ADUC, etc. Domain Controller Security. In the event of a disaster, your domain controllers fail over to Azure as VMs Sep 29, 2020 · Hi, Besides the links shared above, you could also take a look at the Windows server 2016 security guide as a reference and the blogs provided by OrinThomas which discuessed "Third Party Security Configuration Baselines" and"Hardening IIS via Security Control Configuration". For example, the domain controller’s browser restriction list shows Internet Explorer because Edge is Microsoft’s recommended browser. 15: 1608: August 24 Feb 11, 2022 · However, when we get the templates, we need to copy and paste them into the central store of our domain controller. The MSFT Windows Server 2022 - Domain Security contains little more than the Default Domain Policy, and I usually run the command below instead of importing this GPO. Oct 11, 2022 · In a new or existing group policy that applies to all domain controllers, configure the settings in the steps below. Dec 2, 2021 · 4. A tree is a collection of Active Directory domains that begins at a single root domain. server hardening checklist General P Never connect an IIS server to the internet until it is fully hardened. 4 Ensure 'Act as part of the operating system' is set to 'No One' Furthermore, I argue most admins wouldn't notice much of a difference. xxigbwpfhyaeudsvnltvmogkglpohkjmekjfajkthrhmiv